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Minutes for the Public Services Committee meeting on March 14, 2005.
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Public Services Committee
March 14, 2005 at 4:30 p.m.
Members present: Ann Williams, Judy Furr, Mitch Johnson, Tim McCall, and Cecil Province. Councilman Province arrived at 4:40 p.m.
Others present were: City Clerk Donna Jackson, Parks Director Jason Wilkie, and Ms. Margo Riser.
Chairperson Williams called the meeting to order.
MINUTES
Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr for approval of the December 13, 2004 committee minutes as provided. All voted aye.
Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr for approval of the January 10, 2005 committee minutes as provided. All voted aye.
Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr for approval of the February 14, 2005 committee minutes as provided. All voted aye.
Copies of all three sets of minutes were made available to all in attendance.
PRESENTATION - JONESBORO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Ms. Margo Riser provided a five minute presentation on the work being done with the “Lending Library” which is a program focusing on children at risk. The program is held in Jonesboro Community Centers and paid for by a RIF Grant, which stands for “Reading is Fundamental”. Both Phyllis Burkett and Ms Riser thanked committee members and Parks Director, Jason Wilkie for their support with the program.
POLICY FOR CITY OF JONESBORO POTTERS FIELD
Councilwoman Furr moved, seconded by Councilman McCall to recommend the City of Jonesboro Potters Field policy, a policy for indigent burials, contingent on approval by City Attorney Crego as written by Mr. Wilkie. Committee members requested the policy specify verification details such as city residents only, after Craighead County has no money left for indigent burials. The policy was structured after the Craighead County policy. Mr. Wilkie stated money would not have to be appropriated, and could come from his miscellaneous funds. Councilwoman Furr questioned the reason for the increase in such burials and was told it was due to the economy. All voted aye.
CEMETERY FEES - INCREASE
Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson to approve an increase in the Cemetery Schedule of Fees as follows:
Space Purchase:
City Resident $350.00
Non-resident $450.00
Infant $125.00
Deed Fee $ 8.00
a. May be paid in 12 monthly installments after down-payment of no specified amount.
b. 10% surcharge assessed on remaining balance.
c. Immediate need spaces must be paid in full at time of purchase.
d. Spaces and Lots available at Nettleton and Oaklawn Cemeteries.
e. Spaces only, available at Knights of Pythias Cemetery.
f. Nothing available at City Cemetery.
Opening/Closing:
Weekday Adult $250.00
Infant $100.00
Cremation $ 75.00 (To be determined by Jason/City Attorney)
Saturday Adult $400.00
Infant $250.00
Cremation $250.00
Sunday Adult $600.00
Infant $375.00
Cremation $375.00
Monument Setting Fee: Charge based on the square inch (To be determined by Jason/City Attorney)
It was explained that the cost was increase to help cover the over time cost involved with weekend burials and to deter weekend funerals. There was concern that this could cause a back log of work for funeral homes and grave personnel on Mondays. Mr. Wilkie was asked to get with the City Attorney to draft proposed legislation stipulating the approved costs, and to recommend a cost for weekday cremations, and a fee for setting monuments based on the square inch of the monument, with the matter being presented to the full council at their first meeting in April. Mr. Wilkie was asked to provide the proposed resolution to funeral home owners for their input prior to it being placed on the agenda. All voted aye.
Discussion was held regarding problems at Oaklawn and Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemeteries. Mr. Emerson explained some families can not afford the cost of burial at Jonesboro Memorial Park, and the Oaklawn Cemetery aesthetic problems caused by Dave’s Tractor Sales being located directly behind the cemetery site. Drainage problems at Oaklawn were also a factor. Mr. Wilkie explained Mayor Formon was interested in what the solutions might be, and recommended the committee think through with Mayor Formon what direction they wanted to take. Mr. Emerson informed committee members that the previous mayor, Mayor Stallings, closed the Nettleton Cemetery for 38 years, due to drainage problems, but it was now ready to be re-opened, and might provide a solution to the shortage. Mr. Wilkie suggested having the site surveyed to determine how it could be developed. Committee members recommended getting Mayor Formon more involved. The decision was made to set a time to visit the different cemetery sites with Mayor Formon so better decisions could be made.
CFP - SIX WHEEL MAINTENANCE VEHICLE
Mr. Wilkie stated he had gotten a recommendation from Mayor Formon to purchase a Sportsman 6X6 All-terrain with work bed for the Craighead Forest Park. Mr. Wilkie stated they had budgeted $5,000 and had saved $3,000 on a mower, so his bottom line budget would not change. The cost for the all-terrain vehicle was $6.804 plus $50.00. Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilman Johnson to accept the staff and Mayor recommendation to purchase the vehicle. All voted aye.
CFP LAKE ARKANSAS GAME AND FISH COMMISSION IMPROVEMENTS
Mr. Wilkie stated not much had changed with the original agreement, and that due to illness, City Attorney Crego had not approved the contract. He stated it was a somewhat time sensitive issue, due to soil testing. Committee members requested he get with City Attorney Crego and once everything was completed with the documentation, they would call a special Public Services Committee meeting for the purpose of reviewing the matter to make a recommendation to the full council for the first meeting in April.
Mr. Wilkie provided a construction report showing the start dates and deadline dates for each project for prioritization purposes. The projects listed were: Allen Park, CFP, CWL Park, E. Boone Watson Center, Joe Mack, Miles Park, Parker Park, University Lions Park, and Special Projects.
AIRPORT
Councilwoman Furr reported she had met with Mr. Wallace Fowler, Chair of the Airport Commission who stated the fire station at the Airport was moving along, and the Airport Commission was pleased to have the City Council involved. She stated they discussed the potential for the airport being decommissioned.
PARKS MASTER PLAN
Councilman McCall stated the advisory committee wanted to reconsider the 15 year Parks Master Plan, which had been revamped by removing the years and replacing it with phases, and by removing the mandatory dollar amounts which is irrelevant since budgets are approved annually taking in to consideration inflation. He explained approximately eight of the items have either been completed or are near completion. He further explained a meeting would be scheduled in April with the full council in order to discuss the plan.
TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Councilman Province reported discussions were being held on the possibility of reorganizing the original transit authority which was city/county based. He explained it may not include the county, but certainly would not exclude them from the process.
ADJOURNMENT
With no further business Councilman McCall moved, seconded by Councilwoman Furr to adjourn. All voted aye.